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Let's develop healthy writing habits.

While the New Year holds much promise and excitement, difficult times are always waiting. Edie Melson helps us prepare for these challenges in this encore episode by developing healthy writing practices.
Welcome Edie Melson.

Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, she encourages and challenges audiences to understand the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.

She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 23 Best Writing Practices. 

Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It’s great to have you here, my friend.

Download the episode giveaway for 23 Things below.

Edie Melson
The Write Conversation Blog for Writers
Listener giveaway PDF Link for 23 Things to Do for Your Writing Self
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Scholarship Info
Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for Writers

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Attention Writers…publicity is your friend! Linda’s guest shares how you can maximize your publicity beyond your book launch.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb.

Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about Publicity – ways to extend what a publicist did for you during your launch.

My industry expert is… Stephanie Alton. Stephanie is a literary agent and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. She represents best-selling and new voices in non-fiction and in select fiction genres. Stephanie promotes books by curating and executing publicity campaigns and online marketing plans. She has worked in publishing for 9 years and lives on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Today, we cover the following:

• Pre-launch tips.
• Post-Launch tips.
• Marketing advantages you have after your book launch that you don’t have during your launch period.
• What any author can do – even with no marketing experience –to market their book.

You can find out more about Stephanie Alton here: www.theblythedanielagency.com
https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_alton/

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Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
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Learn how playwriting and scriptwriting could be your mission in Christian ministry.

Your Best Writing Life is an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … Playwriting and Scriptwriting 

Billy Wayne Arrington is the founder and president of Vision Productions, Inc., Billy Wayne Ministries. He is an ordained minister, contemporary Christian vocal artist, Speaker, Writer, and Director/Producer/ Actor

Billy Wayne is an accomplished speaker as well as a Christian vocal artist. An accomplished singer/songwriter, he has produced over 20 music recording projects, various music videos, and live performances in concert. Known in the Christian music industry, Billy Wayne was also awarded regional finalist for the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Songwriter of the Year in 2000 and 2002. His book, “And God Was Watching,” received a 5-star Clarion review (The highest critic award) in 2011.

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… writing scripts and playwriting…

Why is production writing/script writing important in today’s culture?

How can one get started in this aspect of Christian ministry?

LINKS
www.Lamplighttheatre.com 

www.billywayne.net 

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Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

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You can make money writing scripts for video games. Tune in to find out how to get started. 

Linda's industry expert is Bob Hostetler. Bob is an award-winning author, game writer, international speaker, and literary agent (with The Steve Laube Agency). His fifty books include Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and The Bard and the Bible: A Shakespeare Devotional. He is also the executive director of the Christian Writers Institute (christianwritersinstitute.com).

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn How to Write for Video Games.

How to Write for Video Games

1.    What video game do you currently write for?

2.    What challenges you the most as a video game script writer?

3.    How would one get started in the video game industry?

4.     Any final thought you’d like to share with our listeners, Bob?

The show notes include a list of several writer’s conferences you’ll be attending, along with numerous links where you can learn more about Bob.
LINKS

Website: www.bobhostetler.com

TruPlayGames 

Blogs: www.oneprayeraday.com, https://www.guideposts.org/users/bobhostetler 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hostetler.395 

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBobHostetler 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobhoss 

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/bobhostetler1 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/writerhoss 

Pinterest: https://www.goodreads.com/writerhoss 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerhoss/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-hostetler-aaabb57/ 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

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How does your point of view lose readership? Today’s guest shares the best point of view from which to tell your story.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn how to include the best point of view in your narrative.

Linda's industry expert is… PeggySue Wells. PeggySue is the bestselling author of 40 books, including the mystery suspense book of the year, Unnatural Cause. Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery are the page-turning novels by P.S. Wells, including Chasing Sunrise, Homeless for the Holidays, and The Patent. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of her nonfiction, including Slavery in the Land of the Free and The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.

PeggySue is the founder of SingleMomCircle.com and a frequent flyer here on Your Best Writing Life… 

In this episode, you will learn:

What is the second most fixed issue by editors? 

The most fixed issue by editors?

How many types of POV are in the literary circle?

What is the best POV to use?

LINKS 

Listener giveaway! PeggySue’s Particulars to Pen the Perfect Point of View - A Quick Guide to Writing Well

Chasing Sunrise

The Patent

Secrecy Order

Unnatural Cause

The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make 

 PeggySue Wells FB Author Page:

PeggySue Wells FB Personal Page

PeggySue Wells Linked In

PeggySue Wells

Single Mom Circle

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you ready to write a devotional that changes lives?
What if you could complete yours in 90 days?

Linda Goldfarb's industry expert is… Janet McHenry is the author of 27 traditionally published books—including the bestselling PrayerWalk, Praying Personalities, and her newest, Looking Up! She teaches nonfiction form at writers’ conferences around the country and hosts the Sierra Valley Writers Retreat twice yearly. Her favorite thing is seeing lightbulbs light up in writers’ eyes. 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. 

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… How to write a 365-day devotional book in 90 days 

Janet, help us out...

1. You wrote 200,000 words for three different books in less than a year. How did that happen? And how do you schedule your writing time? 
2. Your most recent book, Looking Up!, is a 365-day devotional book that you wrote in three months’ time. How did you pace yourself to get that done? 
3. How would you coach someone in writing a devotion? What elements are important? And you say sometimes writers miss one—what is that? 

LINKS

Listener giveaway - E-book: Prayer Helps: Scripture-Based Prayers When You Don’t Know How to Pray: https://www.janetmchenry.com/mini-magazine 

Latest book - Looking Up! Finding Joy as You Read and Pray Through the Bible: A Daily Devotional (Our Daily Bread Publications, Nov. 5, ,2024): 

You can find out more about Janet McHenry here.
Website: https://www.janetmchenry.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetMcHenryAuthor/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetmchenry/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janetmchenry/ 

X: https://x.com/LookingUpFirst 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
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What did you think of this episode?

Linda Goldfarb's industry expert is… Bethany Jett. Bethany is an associate literary agent with the C.Y.L.E. agency, as well as a multi-award-winning author and a marketing strategist who earned top honors in her master’s program, where she earned her MFA in Communications focusing on Marketing and PR. Her motto is “Teach as you go,” which she lives out as the co-owner of Serious Writer, a company that teaches and empowers writers and authors.

Bethany is married to her college sweetheart, and together they’re raising 3 teen sons and their Pomeranian, Sadie.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about the key concepts of a Great Nonfiction Book.

Are you utilizing the elements that create great nonfiction? Today we focus on one key element nonfiction books must contain to be successful.

The three pillars are Concept, Content, and Craft.

During this episode, we are concentrating on Concept.

What are High Concept ideas?
What makes your book a different book from someone else?
Define the audience who will walk into the bookstore looking for your book.

• Nonfiction content must answer a promise to their reader.
• Every chapter matters
• In this chapter, readers will understand take away or learn... 
• There are no gray lines between memoirs and Christian living; it's one or the other.
• Who are the best sellers in your genre?
• Who are the midlist authors?

Links

Bethany Jett
Bethany Jett Books
Submission Guidelines 

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Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
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What did you think of this episode?

When is relaunching your book a great option?
Today’s guests share strategies and insight into making a book relaunch your next best step.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … Relaunching a Book to Gain New Traction 

My industry experts are Athena Dean Holtz and Carol Tetzlaff… Athena is an author, speaker, podcaster, and publisher at Redemption Press, and She Writes for Him. She pioneered the indie publishing movement in the Christian market in the early 90s. Carol is an award-winning Bible study author, speaker, and associate publisher at Redemption Press.

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… Relaunching a Book to Gain New Traction 

1. How do you know it’s time to relaunch?
2.  How can an author add value to the reader by revising or expanding?
3.  What are the most effective additions to make a new version stand out?

Listener giveaway? - Our free resource would be a course on Get unStuck in Your Writing.

Your A Game - Courage for the Communicator – PDF Download and watch training at Romans828mediagroup.com 

https://www.redemptionpress.com  

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
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What did you think of this episode?

Have you stalled out as a writer or speaker – is it because someone wounded you?

Today’s guest shares how we can heal from our wounded giftings to soar again.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … Have You Been Wounded in Your Gifting?

My industry expert is… Shellie Arnold. Shellie has written and edited articles, devotionals, novels, and nonfiction. She has keynoted and taught in workshops, Sunday school classes, and small group settings. She frequently serves on faculty at conferences, including leading the popular Manuscript Critique Track at FCWC, which allows writers to get feedback on their current work in progress.

• How do these wounds happen?
• How do they affect our calling to write or speak?
• How can we heal from these wounds?

 LINKS

Listener giveaway - The Big Four Strategies is a free download on Shellie's website at https://www.shelliearnold.com/shop-c1bgp 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellie.arnold.7

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556125003924 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ShellieLArnold 

Instagram: in process

Website: www.shelliearnold.com 

Joined by God: Unconventional Devotions for Christian Couples can be found at: https://www.kaleidoscopebooks.net/ , Amazon, and through other retail outlets 

The Spindle Chair, Sticks and Stones, and Abide with Me (novels about marriages in trouble) can be found at: https://www.kaleidoscopebooks.net/ , Amazon, and through other retail outlets

         Podcast: Christian Marriage Uncensored can be found at https://www.shelliearnold.com/podcast-1 or your favorite podcast platform as well.

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you curious about AI's true impact on Christian Writers? Today’s guest sheds some much-needed light on this growing topic of concern.

LYNETTE EASON IS THE BEST-SELLING, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF OVER SIXTY BOOKS.

Her books have appeared on the USA TODAY, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and Parable bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards, including the Carol, the Selah, the Golden Scroll, and more. Her novel, Her Stolen Past, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network.

Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn how AI is impacting Christian writers.

LINKS

Lynette can be found online at

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason on Facebook

and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

The Author's Guild

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast